On Feb.2, the Denver Broncos will play the Seattle Seahawks in the first ever outdoor, cold-weather Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The forecast calls for a high of 46 degrees with a 10% chance of precipitation according to Weather.com. Last week, the forecast called for snow showers and a kick off temperature of 34 degrees.
“I hope the weather is cold, I really want to see a snowy Super Bowl,” said Shane Moore, 11.
Many people think the idea of playing the Super Bowl in a cold-weather climate is a catastrophe. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, last year’s Super Bowl MVP, called the idea “stupid.”
“I don’t think you should be putting Super Bowls in northern cities in the winter time,” said Terry Bradshaw, the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and four-time Super Bowl champion. He argued that cold weather gives an advantage to teams with strong running games.
“He has a very valid point; a lot of teams rely heavily on their running games. Seattle and Denver are both a pass first team so there should not be a problem,” said Brady Ridener, 12.
They are all wrong.
This is the game of football. There is the clichéd argument that we celebrate because of its manly-man attributes, part of which means playing the game in pretty much any weather conditions.
“Let the game be played outside, who cares what the weather may be,” said Nick Cassidy, 10.
Of course, the players and coaches will not be the only ones braving the elements. There are also the loyal fans. If fans cannot bundle up and watch the Super Bowl, then, really we shouldn’t be going in the first place. Commissioner Roger Goodell said he will be sitting in the stands during the Super Bowl.
Super Bowls have always been played in less than ideal conditions. It was 39 degrees at kickoff in Super Bowl VI played in New Orleans, La. Super Bowl XXIII was played in Miami in the mud but at the time was considered the greatest Super Bowl. Also, Super Bowl XLI—Peyton Manning’s lone title to date, was played in the pouring rain.
Weather and the Super Bowl have two amazing things in common; we don’t have any control over them.
